Sprinkling flatiron



April 6, 1954 H. MAYKl-:MPER

SPRINKLING FLATIRON 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 5, 1950 INVENTOR.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

April 6, 1954 H. MAYKEMPER SPRINKLING FLATIRON Filed Ma'y s. 195o Hwy/2y.

April 6, 1954 H. MAYKEMPER 2,674,054

SPRINKLING FLATIRON Filed May 3, 1950 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 6, 1954 2,674,054 SPRINKLING FLA'rmoN Henry Maykemper, Eau Claire, Wis., assignor to National Presto Industries, Inc., a corporation of Wisconsin Application May 3, 1950, Serial N o. 159,783

Claims. (Cl. 38-78) My invention relates to a flat iron-sometimes known as a pressing iron-and more particularly to a fiat iron having a built-in spraying or sprinkling device.

My invention may be readily incorporated in a flat iron which is electrically heated by a coil carried within the sole plate, or which is heated by other means associated with the iron, or by heating means entirely separate from the iron. While my invention is shown incorporated with a fiat iron having a heating coil in the sole plate, that is for purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation.

It is Well known that dampening of material to be pressed makes the pressingfoperation easier and causes the material to retain its pressed coridition longer. For many decades it has been the practice, before ironing clothes, to sprinkle them by using a bottle having a spray head, or by a similar device. Such sprinkling may not be uniform. To overcome the lack of uniformity of sprinkling, some persons follow the practice of rolling up the clothing which has been sprinkled so that the moisture will spread. Sometimes, the sprinkling operation is carried on some hours before ironing and even the night before the ironing is to be done.-

While iiat irons have been developed which provide their own steam which discharges from the iron, there are some persons who do not like to usel such an iron and there are also certain limitations in such an iron, for example, limitations as to the amount of moisture which such an iron can continue to discharge before requiring refilling. 1

It is one of the advantages of my invention that I can provide a at iron of no more than ordinary size which incorporates a reservoir car rying sufficient water, or other moistening agent,

to adequately dampen a'. weekly wash for a fami- 1 ly of four Without requiring refilling; By my invention, the release of water, or the like, is under the complete control of the user at all times and, consequently, none of the water is wasted.

Tests seem to indicate that the application of a wetting agent, such as 4water, immediately be,-` forev ironing,A is more effective than the usual sprinkling operation wherein the clothes are allowed to sit for some time after being sprinkled. It also appears that a ne mist of Water or other wetting agent is superior to large drops of water, such as are used in the usual `sprinkling operation. A fine mist of water has-a' further advan` tage of covering a larger surface of material with a single spraying application than is possible 2 with the same amount of water sprinkled on the clothing. It is possible to use various wetting agents, and the addition of chemicals and dyes to the wetting agent will permit many operations not heretofore possible or convenient. A small amount ofborax, for example, may be added to the wetting agent, such as Water, and when sprayed on the material prior to ironing results in a new look to the material after the ironing operation is completed.

It is one of the objects of my invention to dispose the uid reservoir within the usual housing or body or shell of a flat iron. The housing may itself form one of the walls of the reservoir. The reservoir is thereby concealed from view, so that the iron may present a more pleasing appearance.

It is another object of the invention to provide easy means of access to the reservoir, for filling the same, by the use of structure which is easily and inexpensively assembled and which will not detract from the attractive appearance of the iron.

While it is entirely satisfactory to have the uidin the reservoir warm, it is not desired to have it highly heated, and I therefore provide means for preventing the heat from the sole plate from heating the fluid in the reservoir to an undesired degree. Preferably, the reservoir is spaced from the sole plate and any contact of the housing withL the sole plate is at spaced apart locations and consists substantially of point contacts. Such spacing and limited areas of contact permits the space between the sole plate and reservoir and housing to form an air passageway so that' air may circulate therethrough as the iron is moved backwardly and forwardly in the ironing operation. In that manner, the heat 'given off upwardly toward the reservoir and housing by the sole plate is dissipated to a substantial extent.

Also, the fastening'means employed for securing the handle, housing and sole plate together are of such a construction that a minimum transference of heat is provided.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel arrangement of spray mechanism and actuating mechanism therefor in the body or handle, or in both together in some forms of the invention.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a convenient form of `pump mechanism for discharging a fluid spray from the reservoir to the material to' be dampened.

It is a further object to providein the forward portion of the'handle 01"l the irona generally vertical bore in which a nller tube for the reservoir may be disposed.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide for pump mechanism which may be removable through the filler tube mentioned above.

It is another object of this invention to provide a filler tube for the reservoir which also serves as a portion oflthe pump mechanism.

Other objects, uses and advantages of the invention will become apparent, or be obvious, from a consideration of the following description and the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side view, partially in section, showing one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a second embodiment of my invention;

Figure 3 is a side View. partially in section, of another modification of the invention;

Figure 4 is a side view', partially in section, of yet anothermodication of my invention; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view of valve means suitable for use in the apparatus of my invention.

To the extent practicable, the same reference numerals have been employed in the different figures of the drawings to indicate the same or substantially similar structures.

Referring first to Figure 1, I have shown an iron comprising the usual form of sole plate I which is adapted to have a known form of wired heating unit 2 associated therewith. A body or housing or shell,'indicated by the reference numeral 3, is disposed above the sole plater in a customary manner and is connected with the sole plate by fastening means, such as the hollow threaded fastening element 4 and the hollow threaded fastening element 5. Element 4 has a head which bears against the bottom wall, or plate, l of the water reservoir B, and its lower threaded end is threaded into a socket in the sole plate I. The headed fastening element 5 has its head resting against a portion of the handle E and extends through the uppermost wall of the housing 3, -at its rear portion, and is threaded into a. socket in the sole plate I; If desired, in sulating material may be placed in the hollow fastening means 4 and 5.-

While the upper portion of the yhousing 3 forms a portion of the reservoir, it will be understood that a separate tank structure could be disposed beneath the upper surface of the housing, or shell, 3. Thev reservoir 6 is adaptedto be filled withuvater or someother appropriate wetting agent, and the filling is accomplished through the filler tube- 9, which extendsverticallyupwardly from the reservoir i-to a position adjacent the top of the handle 8. Fluid introduced into the filler tube 9, upon removal ofthe stopper It, gains entrance to the reservoir 6 through `the passageways 9a in the head of the fastening element Il, which passageways extend through the side wall of the tube 9 and communicate with the reservoir 6. If preferred, openings in the side wall of the tube 9 adjacent its lower end may be employed. l

The forward portion of the handle 8 has a generally vertical bore, as shown, through .which the filler tube 9 extends upwardly. Where. the filler tube extends upwardly through the top wall of the housing 3, a water-tight joint is formed in a known manner, and the filler tube 9 is secured by its lower end to the bottom wall .'I 0f the reservoir about the headed fastening .ele-v ment4.

The heating element 2 his connected inf 'series with a thermostatic control I3, which is manipulated from outside of the iron through the control knob I5 audits shaft I4, all in a known manner. From the thermostatic control I3, there is electrical connection to the wires I 2 and outwardn ly through the handle to a standard form of eleotric cord, which is adapted to be plugged into a wall socket, or the like.

A spacing washer I8 of insulating material surrounds the fastening element 4 and is inter- I posed between the under surface of bottom wall 'l of the reservoir and the top surface of the sole plate I At the rear of the iron, the fastening element 5 may have a sleeve 5a surrounding it and formed of insulating material to assist in minimizing the transfer of heat from the sole plate to the housing 3. The sole plate l is provided with rest points I6 which may have ball point insulators I'I, of ceramic or other heat resistance material, which will serve to space the flange of the housing 3 from the sole plate, in conjunction with the spacing washer i8. While it is not objectionable to have the fluid in the reservoir warm, it is not desired that it be boiling or at other high temperatures which would be dangerous to the user of the iron, and therefore the iron is formed to minimize the transfer of heat upwardly from the sole plate to the reservoir and the walls which define it. It has been found that by providing an air space as an insulating medium that the temperature of the water may be maintained at a desired level, since, in the ironing operation, with the iron being moved backwardly and forwardly, the space between the sole plate and reservoir forms an air passageway through which air flows and dissipates the heat which might otherwise undesirably heat the water in the reservoir.

The means providing a fluid outlet consists of a tube 22 extending through an aperture in the resilient stopper I0 of the ller tube 9, said tube 22 extending downwardly through the filler tubel to a position adjacent its lower end and just above the bottom wall 1. The tube 22 also extends into a cap 25, which is connected with the stopper I0, and a ball spray nozzle 2t communicates with the tube 22 and provides for discharge in a forward direction from the iron. The spray nozzle 26 is adjustable in direction and also permits variation, by manual adjustment in a known manner, in the amount and density of the spray The spray nozzle 26 and its supporting structure is carried by the cap 25, and, by gripping the cap between the fingers, it and the stopper Iii tube 22 and spray nozzle 2B may be withdrawn I together from the filler tube 9 so that additional fluid may be poured into the filler tube to fill the reservoir 6. y

The means for causing discharge of fluid through the fluid outlet means, such as tube 22 and nozzle 26, comprises, in Figure l, a rubber, or resilient plastic, bulb 21 of a known type, which is disposed in a recess 21o, in the underside of the handle 8, as clearly shown. A portion of d the bulb 2I extends below the handle, whereby 5. tube 29 which leads to reservoir 6. The valve structure 30 permits air intake, as the bulb ex'- pands, while shutting on" communication with the tube 29, which leads to the reservoir E. When the bulb is filled with air and is then compressed by the ngers, the valve structure 38 closes oii passage of air to the outside of the handle and opens up to pass air through the passageway 29 to the reservoir, whereupon water is forced through the passageways 9a and into the filler tube 3 and up the tube 22 and out the spray nozzle 26.

In the modification shown in Figure 2, the structure of the iron, generally, is the same as that shown in Figure 1, including the sole plate I, heating element 2, housing 3, fastener 4 threaded to the sole plate and having ports 9a therein, reservoir 6 having bottom 1, handle 8, point contacts I6, I1, and insulator I8, but the means for causing discharge of fluid from the reservoir through a spray nozzle is different from that shown in Figure 1. In particular, a relatively shortller tube 40 is secured to the top wall of the housing 3 and extends upwardly therefrom, the tube 40 being closed at its upper end by a removable stopper 4I. The stopper 4I includes an axial bushing 42 in which a tube 43 is adapted to reciprocate and serve as a piston rod. The tube 43 at its lower end passes into a pump cylinder 44 and is connected with, and has communication through, a, piston 45. The piston reciprocates in the pump cylinder 44, which cylinder is provided with a perforate bottom wall rested on the head of the fastener 4. A spring 4'3 normally urges the piston and tube 43 upwardly. f

In the showing of Figure 2, the piston is in its lowermost position, with the spring compressed.

Tube 43 extends through the bushing 42 in stopper 4I and is connected with the cap 41 and communicates with a spray nozzle 48, which is carried by said cap. The nozzle may be adjusted in direction. The cap 41 normally will be in a position above that shown in Figure 2, due to the urging of spring 46 in the pump cylinder 44. The cap 41 is located at the forward end of the handle 8, and may conveniently be depressed by the thumb or nger of the person using the iron. In this embodiment of the invention, the ports 9a are controlled by inwardly opening or inlet valves, that is, valves that are opened upon the creation of a vacuum pressure condition within the cylinder 44 to accommodate in-flow of water and that are closed on the pressure stroke of the piston to accommodate discharge of water through the tube 43. In some instances, it will be desirable to provide a valve in the tube 43 to prevent entry of air on the suction stroke of the piston. When the cap 41 is depressed, the tube 43 and its piston 45 descend in the pump cylinder 44 and the iiuid in said cylinder is then forced upwardly through tube 43 and out of the spray nozzle 48. The valved passageways 9a in the bottom of the pump cylinder 44 and in the head of the threaded fastening element 4 provide communication with the water or other liquid in the reservoir 6. If preferred, passageways may be formed in the side walls of the pump cylinder 44 adjacent its lower end.

When it is desired to fill the reservoir 6, it is only necessary to raise the cap 41 and the stopper 4I, whereupon the cap 41, nozzle 48, stopper 4| and pump cylinder 44 may be removed through the filler tube 40 and then replaced when the reservoir has been filled.

- 1n the modification shown in Figure 3, the

iron as a whole i's quite similar to that shown in Figure 1. In particular, the iron includes a sole plate I, heating element 2, housing 3, fastener 5, sleeve 5a, reservoir 6 having bottom wall 1, handle 8 and handle insert 3a, electrical conductor I2, thermostat I3, thermostat control shaft I4 and knob I5, point contacts I6 and spacer I8. In this embodiment of this invention, a iiller tube 6I is secured to the top and bottom Walls of the reservoir and extends vertically through the reservoir and upwardly therefrom. At its lower end, which extends through the wall 1 of the reservoir, the filler tube is closed by a bottom plate Gla threaded therein, which plate is secured to the sole plate, on top of the insulator I8, by a fastener or screw 62. In this manner, the filler tube BI also serves as a pump housing or cylinder. Adjacent the lower end of tube 6I, there is a valved inlet opening 53 communicating with the reservoir 6 and a valved outlet opening B4 communicating between the tube 6I and a duct or passageway 55 which comprises the uid outlet means in this form of the device. Duct at its upper end communicates with a spray nozzle 6E,

' which, as in the other forms of the invention, is

adjustable as to direction and density of spray.

A spring 61 acts between the rbottom plate Ela and the underside of a piston 68, and normally urges the piston 68 and its connecting rod 69 upwardly from the lowermost position in which the piston is shown in Figure 3. The piston rod 59 has a fast-feed thread 10 at its upper end, by

means of which it is connected to a threaded socket in a cap 1 I. Cap 1I has an annular groove 12 adjacent its periphery and opening on its underside, which groove is adapted to fit over the upper end of the Wall of tube '3l to form a closure therefor. The cap 1I may be pressed downwardly against spring 61 by the thumb or ringer of the user of the iron, and the cap has sliding bearing support on the upper end of the filler tube 6I.

A slight rotation, such as a quarter turn, of the cap 1I with respect to the piston rod 69 will disengage the cap so that it may be removed and water, or other wetting agent, may be poured into the nller tube 6 I. The water poured into the tube fiows into the reservoir 8 through the series of openings 13 in the Wall of tube 6I, above the uppermost position of the piston 63, which uppermost position is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 4, another modificationof the invention is illustrated. The structure of the iron itself is much the same as previously described and includes a sole plate I, heating element 2, housing 3, fastener 5, reservoir 6 having bottom wall 1, handle 8 and handle insert 8a, cord I2, thermostat control shaft I4 and knob I5, point contacts I6 and insulator I8. In this form of the iron, however, the ver tical bore at the forward e'nd of the handle 8 includes not only a filler tube 86 extending Vertically upward from thebottom 1 of the reservoir 6 and having a threaded closure cap 8l adjacent the top forward portion of handle 8, but there is also included in the bore a pump cylinder 82 which is separate from the filler tube 33. The valved piston 83, of a known type, is reciprocable within the pump cylinder 82 by a piston rod 84, which has a knob 85 at its upper end. The rod 84 is guided in a bearing in the top enclosure, or head, 86 of the pump cylinder 82. A spring 81 acts between `'the he'ad 88' and the top surface'of piston 83, and normally urges the piston and rod 84 downwardly to the position shown in Figure 4. The top of the knob 85 of the piston rod 85 and the top of threaded cap 3l for the ller tube 80 both lie in a plane beneath the spring snap lid 88, which is hingedly connected at the top of the handle A fluid outlet means for the fluid in reservoir comprises the conduit 89 which leads directly from a location adjacent the bottom of reservoir 5 to the nozzle Sil, at the forward end of the iron. A valve 9i is interposed in the fluid outlet means leading to the nozzle 90 so that air pressure may be built up and maintained within the reservoir G by the air pump structure. Valve 9i is under the control of a spring loaded push button 92, which is connected to a connecting rod 93 of the valve 9i. The valve 8l is normally closed and its push button is conveniently located adjacent the top surface of the forward portion of the iron.

Preparatory to using the form of the iron illustrated in Figure 4, the hinged lid 853 is raised and screw cap 8| of the filler tube tu is removed. Water is then added to the reservoir and the cap 8i is then replaced. Next the pump is actuated by raising and lowering the piston t3 by means or" the knob 85 to pump air into the reservoir. To this end, the piston 83 includes a valve opening in the direction of the lower side of the piston for controlling the flow of air to the opposite sides of the piston, and outlets 94 and 95, disposed adjacent the lower end of the pump cylinder 5.2, are provided with outwardly opening valves so that as the piston is reciprccated is introduced, through ports in the closure 86, the valve port in the piston 83 and the valve outlets 94 and 95, to the interior of the reservoir so that an internal pressure of several pounds in excess of atmosphere may be provided. Then,

with the piston in its lower position, it is only v necessary to press the push button 92 when it is desired to spray fluid through the nozzle S8, since the pressure existing in the reservoir urges the fluid outwardly through the uid outlet means, or conduit, 89 past valve Si and out of g,

nozzle 90.

In Figure 5, I have shown a valve suitable for use in the various embodiments of my invention disclosed herein. The valve comprises a hollow body 5o having a bore therein adapted to be closed by a threaded plug 5l. The body 58 and the plug 5i dei-lne an inlet port 52, an outlet port 53 and valve seats 54 and 55, respectively, adjacent each port. Mounted within the body 50 is a valve 56 having a head 51 adapted for cooperation with either one of the: seats 5t and 55. A spring 58 biases the valve 56 into normal engagement with its seat. The valve is adapted to be mounted with the body 50 thereof disposed to the inside of and connected, by means of a clip E9, to. a wall member B0. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, the wall member Eil suitably comprises the peripheral wall of the cylinder 82 with a valve member being disposed in each of the ports 94 and 95. In this embodiment, the valves mounted in the ports 5d and 95 are required to be outlet valves and, accordingly, the valve 56 is so disposed that the' head 51 thereof cooperates with the seat 55 for the port E3 in the plug 5l of the valve. Thus, as air is compressed beneath the piston S3, the valve 56 will be forced open to accommodate low of air through the body of the valve and into the reservoir 6. Also, the piston 83 is provided with a valve and in this use, the wall member B0 may suitably comprise the end face of the piston 83 with the valve projecting downwardly from the lower face of the piston. In this use, the valve is required to be an inlet valve for controlling the flow of air through the piston 83 and, accordingly, the valve would be used as the same is shown in Figure 5. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3, the valve disposed within the port 63 is required to be an inlet valve and the valve disposed in the port 64 is required to be an outlet valve. Accordingly, two valve members corresponding to the valve 50 must be mounted to the interior of the cylinder El. The valve associated with the port 63 will have the arrangement shown in Figure 5 wherein the head 5'! of the valve 56 cooperates with the seat 54 of the inlet port 52. The valve mounted within the outlet port 64 is required to be an outlet valve and, accordingly, the valve 55 will be disposed with the head 51 thereof in normal engagement with the seat 55 controlling the outlet port 53. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the arrangement of the valves is required to be the opposite of the arrangement provided in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4. Specifically, the valves disposed Within the ports 9c are required to be inlet valves and the valve disposed within the tube 43 is required to be an outlet valve, as will be obvious.

With respect to the modifications of the invention shown in Figures l, 3 and 4, the fastening means, spacing means, and insulated point contacts between the housing and sole plate, are substantially the same as shown in Figure l and provide asimilar' insulating arrangement to prevent undue transfer of heat to the reservoir and handle. In addition, to the extent that heat is taken on by the water in the reservoir, it serves to reduce the amount of heat which may reach the handle.

While I have illustrated preferred embodiments of my invention, I do not intend to be limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, since various changes and modifications, coming within the scope of the invention, will suggest themselves to others by reason of my disclosure.

I claim:

i. A flat iron comprising a sole plate, a housing disposed above and connected with said sole plate; spacers dening limited points of contact between said housing and said sole plate and spacing said housing from said sole plate whereby a passageway for air circulation is provided therebetween; a handle for manipulating the iron, said handle at its forward end having a vertical bore; fastening means for connecting the housing, handle and sole plate together; said housing including wall means defining a fluid reservoir within the housing; aiiller tube extending into the bore in said handle and establishing communication between the top forward portion of said handle and said reservoir; a removable closure for said ller tube in the bore in said handle; conduit means defining a fluid outlet leading from said reservoir to a position adjacent the forward end of the iron; and manually operable pump means associated with said handle and under the control of the user for discharging iiuid from the reservoir outwardly through the fluid outlet means.

2. The iron of claim l wherein the fastening means for connecting the housing, handle and sole plate together are hollow and provide lima valve controlled air outlet, said air outlet com-'- municating with said reservoir, whereby 'actuation of said bulb resultsin'establishment kof"'air pressure on the fluid in said reservoir to force the fluid through said outlet means.

4. The iron of claim 1, wherein the pump means includes a valved pump cylinder in the reservoir, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, l

and a piston rod extendingl through said filler tube to adjacent the top of the handle for manually actuating said piston, said cylinder, piston rod and piston being disconnectable from the iron and removable through the upper end of the filler tube upon removal of said closure.

5. The iron of claim 1 wherein the iiuid outlet means extends upwardly through the filler tube.

6. The iron of claim 5 together with an apertured stopper at the upper end of said tube, with the fluid outlet means extending through said aperture in the stopper.

7. The iron of claim 6 together with a pump cylinder in said reservoir and a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, and wherein the iiuid outlet means has reciprocal movement through the aperture in said stopper and is connected at one end with the piston and communicates with the reservoir through said cylinder and said piston.

8. The iron of claim 1 wherein the filler tube communicates with the reservoir through openings in the side walls of the filler tube and wherein the tube extends to the bottom of the reservoir and is closed off at its lower end; together with a valve inlet adjacent the lower end of said tube, a valved outlet adjacent the lower end of said tube establishing communication between said tube and said iiuid outlet means, and a reciprocable piston in said tube beneath the openings in its side walls for drawing fluid from the reservoir into the tube and for discharging iiuid from the tube to the iiuld outlet means.

9. The iron of claim 8 wherein the piston has a connecting rod which extends upwardly through the filler tube and has operative association with the closure for said filler tube.

10. The iron of claim 9 wherein the closure for said ller tube is located adjacent the top of the handle at the forward end thereof and is slidably associated with said iiller tube, whereby it may be manipulated by a thumb or finger of the user of the iron to actuate'the pump piston.

11. The iron of claim 1 wherein the iiuid discharging means comprises an air pump communicating with the reservoir, and including a valved pump cylinder and reciprocable piston therein, said cylinder and piston extending upwardly through the bore in said handle to a position adjacent the top of the handle, said piston being adapted for manual actuation to force air into said reservoir to establish a pressure on the fluid in the reservoir tending to discharge the fluid, and a manually operable valve controlling the flow of fluid from the reservoir through the fluid outlet means.

l2. The iron of claim 1l wherein a cover hinged to the top of the handle closes the bore in the handle at its upper end. v

l13. Ailat iron comprising a sole plate, a Ihousing ,disposed above .and connectedgwith said sole plate,-` spacers definingv limited Vpoints-vof contact between said -housing and saidsole plate and spacing. said housing from saidA- sole plate whereby a passageway. for air circulation is provided-therebetween, a handle for: manipulating the iron, said housing Aincluding wall means' de- Vnirig' a fluid' reservoirwithinthe housing, fas'- tening means' for' connecting the housing; handle and sole plate together andfor' defining a limit'- ed conductive path'betweensai'd soleplate 'and said reservoir, said handle at its forward end having a vertical bore therethrough, a ller tube extending into the bore in said handle and establishing communication between the top forward portion of said handle and said reservoir, a removable closure for said filler tube in the bore in said handle, conduit means dening a fluid outlet leading from said reservoir to a position adjacent the forward end of the iron, said conduit means terminating in a nozzle directed forwardly of the iron, and manually operable pump means disposed in said reservoir and extending through the bore in said handle and terminating adjacent the top of the handle for manual actuation, said pump means being under the control of the user for discharging fluid from the reservoir outwardly through the fluid outlet means.

14. A at iron as set forth in claim 13, wherein said nozzle is adjustably mounted adjacent the forward portion of said handle for varying the direction of spraying fluid from said reservoir.

15. A fiat iron comprising a sole plate, a housing disposed above and connected with said sole plate, a handle disposed above and connected with said housing for manipulating the iron, said handle at its forward end including a vertical portion extending adjacent said housing, said handle having a vertical bore therethrough in the said vertical portion thereof, said housing having an aperture therein in alignment with the vertical bore in said handle, said housing including wall means defining a Afluid reservoir within the housing, a filler tube disposed in the bore in said handle and extending through the aperture in said housing and extending into the bottom of the reservoir within the housing, said filler tube being sealingly secured to said housing around the aperture through said housing and at the bottom of said reservoir, a piston reciprocable in said filler tube, a spring between said piston and the bottom of said reservoir for normally biasing said piston away from the bottom of said reservoir, said filler tube having a plurality of radial openings therein above the normal spring biased position of said piston, said radial openings in said filler tube communicating with said reservoir, said ller tube adjacent the bottom of said reservoir having a radial inlet port and a radial outlet port therein, an inlet valve controlling the inlet port in said ller tube, an outlet valve controlling the outlet port in said filler tube, a uid discharge tube disposed adjacent said iiller tube and extending to the exterior of said housing, a spray nozzle adjustably associated with said discharge tube to the exterior of said housing, said nozzle being disposed forwardly of said handle and being directed to` spray forwardly of said sole plate, said discharge tube communicating directly with the outlet port in said nller tube, said piston including a piston 11 I2 rod extending upwardly through said lier tube, References Cited in the iile of this patent a closure for said iler tube associated with the UNITED STATES PATENTS upper end thereof and reciprocable with respect y thereto within the bore in said handle, said Ngullifgza 'Horarllme NOV D29te1939 i i 'th 1 J ."-fp ston iod being operatively assoc ated w1 5 2,271,686 Fitzgerald -n Feb. 3, 1942 said closure for said filler tube, said closure being adapted to be reciprocated axially of said ller 2499184 Fmlayson Feb' 20 1950 tube by the user of the iron to operate said piston, FOREIGN PATENTS whereby said piston operating in said ller tube Number Country Date pumps fluid from said reservoir to said discharge 10 36,523 France Mau- 13, 1930 tube and through said nozzle. 243,584 Switzerland Jan. 3, 1947 

